Multiple Michigan football players stand out in NFL preseason

Football is back. That's a great thing, and on Saturday, in the slew of NFL preseason games, there was a common theme of success among former Michigan football players.

J.J. McCarthy, a national-championship winning quarterback for Michigan football, got his first start of the preseason with the Vikings on Saturday, and held up well. He completed 4-of-7 passes for 30 yards. He also ran for a first down and led Minnesota to a field goal.

It was the only drive of the game he was allowed to play. His former teammate, Blake Corum, another Michigan football legend, looked like his old self, scoring two first-quarter rushing touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams.

Corum, who always did have a nose for the end zone, wasn't the only player who stood out for the Rams. Rookie Josaiah Stewart, a third-round pick of the Rams in the 2025 NFL draft, also made an impression with a sack against the Cowboys. He looks to have a bright future in the NFL as an EDGE rusher. He even got praise from Rams head coach Sean McVay.

Will Johnson, who fell to the second round of the draft, inexplicably, continues to make teams look bad for passing on him. Johnson has had a stellar camp, and didn't allow a completion on Saturday for the Arizona Cardinals as quarterbacks were 0-for-4 when throwing the ball his way.

Johnson has also locked down Marvin Harrison Jr. a few different times during training camp, just like did while he was at Michigan.

Donovan Edwards, the man with two touchdown runs against Ohio State in 2022 and two in the 2023 National Championship Game, had a 73-yard touchdown run wiped out by a holding call on Saturday. However, it sure showed that Edwards still has the speed to hit home runs.

The dude still has a shot to make it in the NFL. He just needs a chance and is doing his best shot to earn one this season.